Cisco Broadband Configurator Data Sheet [Cisco Broadband Configurator]

Data Sheet

Cisco Broadband Configurator

Cisco® Broadband Configurator is an easy-to-navigate, Java-based application that simplifies the creation and maintenance of configuration files for PacketCable 1.0 media terminal adapters (MTAs) and Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 1.0 and 1.1 cable modems.

Product Overview

Inherent complexities in maintaining high-speed data (HSD) and voice services over hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) cable networks require cable operators to find effective and inexpensive solutions to reduce this operational complexity and to accelerate the deployment of new MTAs and cable modems. Cisco Broadband Configurator is a user-friendly tool that collects the information needed to generate PacketCable 1.0, DOCSIS 1.0, and DOCSIS 1.1 configuration files to MTAs or cable modems (Figure 1). It provides an easy-to-use, forms-based approach that takes cable operators through the process of configuring or editing values in a configuration file. These values include radio frequency parameters, vendor information, DOCSIS 1.0 class of service (CoS), DOCSIS 1.1 service flow or service flow identifiers (SFIDs), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) values, DOCSIS 1.0 baseline privacy interface (BPI), DOCSIS 1.1 BPI+, and customer premises equipment
(CPE) data.

During the DOCSIS provisioning process, every cable modem or MTA receives a configuration file containing parameters that define how the cable modem or MTA is expected to transmit and receive data for different services. Cisco Broadband Configurator hides the complexity of creating configuration files and offers many enhanced usability features, including templates, online help for novice users, a command line interface (CLI) for expert users, file editing capabilities to easily modify cable modem or MTA configuration values, and remote-access capabilities.

Figure 1
Cisco Broadband Configurator Sample Interface

Features and Benefits

Table 1 Features and Benefits of Cisco Broadband Configurator

Features	Benefits
Easy navigation; ability to build a full object identifier (OID) tree identifying the unique cable modem or MTA Media Access Control (MAC) address in the network, and to create or modify a PacketCable 1.0, DOCSIS 1.0, or DOCSIS 1.1 configuration file for the specific cable modem or MTA	Simplifies configuration file generation, reduces complexity, and optimizes new cable modem or MTA deployments
Color-coded data validation^_green check marks next to screens that have been validated and accepted as part of the configuration, and red "X" marks next to screens that have been submitted, but were found to have missing or unusable input	Minimizes configuration errors
Context-sensitive online help	Increases usability and reduces training time
Sample templates, a text editor, and the ability to edit and create multiple configuration files simultaneously	Saves time and increases productivity

Features	Benefits
A CLI and the capability to open and save files in ASCII and binary formats	Provides increased flexibility and gives users choices on their preferred mode
Lightweight Java tool	Uses minimal disk and memory resources, and provides a portable application for use in network operation centers and at remote locations

Table 1 (cont.) Features and Benefits of Cisco Broadband Configurator

Table 2 Cisco Broadband Configurator System Requirements

Item	Server	Client
Hardware/operating system	Windows 2000 and Windows XP; RedHat Linux Version 7.2; Solaris versions 2.6 and 2.8	Netscape and Internet Explorer supported on Windows, Linux, and Solaris; Pentium Class PC or Ultra-5 Solaris workstation
Memory		32 MB for PCs, 64 MB for UNIX
Disk space		50 MB

Cisco Service and Support

Service and support for Cisco Broadband Configurator is available through the Cisco Software Application Support (SAS) program. These services provide 24-hour technical assistance, full access to the information and support resources at Cisco.com, and software maintenance updates within a single release. Available as an option, the Cisco Software Application Support Plus Upgrades (SASU) program includes proactive shipment of all minor (update) and major (upgrade) product releases.

For More Information

For more information on Cisco Broadband Configurator, visit:

http://www.cisco.com/cable

Hierarchical Navigation

Cisco Broadband Configurator